100 years ago in Spokane: Chamber of Commerce pitches Spokane as ideal for explosives plant

From our archives, 100 years ago

The Spokane Chamber of Commerce urged President Woodrow Wilson to consider Spokane as the site of a huge nitrate manufacturing plant, “to be used in time of peace for fertilizers, and in case of war for high explosives.”

A chamber committee asserted that Spokane “possesses in a greater degree than any other city in the United States” the three requirements for such a plant. Those are: Abundant water power, a large supply of limestone and coke (from coal).

As part of a general push to be prepared for war, Wilson’s administration had recently earmarked $20 million for nitrate production.

From the burglary beat: Leona Smith, 9, went over to her aunt’s home and discovered the door open. So she walked in.

She surprised a burglar, who was rifling through her aunt’s possessions. He took one look at Leona and scampered out the back door.

Police discovered he had stolen 40 cents and a gold watch, but he didn’t have time to grab a purse and several diamond rings. It was one of several thefts in the neighborhood recently.

From the beauty beat: The Society page offered the following bit of beauty advice: “One point that the beauty-seeker often forgets – the tenet that real professional beauty always clings to – ‘thou shalt not get cold.’ ”

It recommended that a woman should always take extra care to keep her feet, ankles and neck from chill.